Bridgnorth (255-5d) beat Eastnor (200) by 55 runs

Despite a late counter attack from hosts Eastnor, Bridgnorth took maximum points for the thirteenth time this season, maintaining their 27-point lead over Sutton Coldfield and extending the gap to third-placed Penkridge to 85 points.

Put into bat after the hosts won the toss, Karl Quiney continued his recent metronomic form at the top of the order alongside Tom Weston, who battled hard and rode his luck early on. An opening stand of 87 was ended as Weston was removed by highly-rated seamer Shahid Ahmed for a spritely 51. But the platform was now set for the middle order to cash in and set a strong total.

A breezy 27 from Ryan Lockley and a quick cameo from Simon Gregory were ideally juxtaposed with the dependable Quiney, whose latest classy innings of 85 once again anchored Bridgnorth's batting effort. A typically effervescent knock from Dave Exall further accelerated the innings for the Cricket Meadow men, as an unbeaten half century including three sixes enabled captain James Ralph to declare on 255-5 after 51 overs.

This meant Bridgnorth would have 59 overs at their disposal in their efforts to dismiss the hosts and claim maximum points. However, strike bowler Dale Quiney clearly had other ideas as an excellent opening spell saw him claim 5-27 in his first nine overs. With Exall also taking two wickets, Eastnor were soon rocking on 69-7 in the 17th over.

Legspinner Sam Whitney then also got into the act with a wicket in his second over to make it 94-8, and a further wicket for Exall (3-52) seemed to put Bridgnorth on the brink of victory as the scoreboard displayed 103-9.

But Eastnor's final pair had other ideas. Shahid Ahmed once again showed how dangerous he is by counter-attacking in outrageous style. Bringing up a brutal half century off just 22 balls, including six boundaries and three maximums, and fireworks continued as Bridgnorth searched for the final wicket. A few chances were missed amid the carnage, as number eleven batsman Ali also joined in on the alarming display of audacious strokeplay.

With 97 runs piled on in just 51 deliveries, skipper Ralph finally took the last wicket in the 33rd over to confirm a 55-run victory.
A potentially tricky trip to Coventry is the next challenge for the unbeaten Cricket Meadow first team.